upside down vin on kansas built big block chevelle

graperat · #1 10-11-2003, 02:19 AM

I have 2 what i believe to be original 454 and 396 70 chevelle engines that the vin is stamped upside down on the frt pad of the block.They both where produced in the kansas plant,i did see on the 454 that another vin was stamped over by the oil filter,i have not looked to see if the vin on the 396 was stamped there also,has anybody seen this ??? The 396 car is from the orig owner,the 454 car has the heads off and the deck looks all original with the crv stamp clear as a bell. Need some advice here,thanks graperat

ORIGLS6 · #2 10-11-2003, 02:37 AM

I've heard of the VINs being upside down before. Doesn't appear to be all that unusual. Give us the low-down Rick. The number on my transmission case is that way (an Arlington car).

Oh, and before someone else mentions it.....Please fill out your profile. We all like to know who we're talking with! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img] Good luck and welcome to a Great Site!

Dennis

**Mr70** · #3 10-11-2003, 02:43 AM

Yes...The Upside Down is Typical of Kansas City Mo. Leeds Plant cars.
My Chevelle Has it as well.
The one that is also stamped by the Oil Filter..what is it's casting date?

**MosportGreen66** · #4 10-11-2003, 02:47 AM

A buddy of mine has a 1963 Corvette Coupe, late production car. The guys at the St. Lious plant stamped the pad once, it did not go through (?) so they filled the block, and stamped the other side. I may have to brush up on the details of the car. NCRS had no problem with the car. The judges called it GM's Abortion.

**Charley Lillard** · #5 10-11-2003, 02:58 AM

My LS6 ElCamino is also a Kansas Plant and the Vin is upside down on the Front Pad. That was one of the Main ways to verify as most Crooks don't know to put it upside down.

**Mr70** · #6 10-11-2003, 03:02 AM

"Was" [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]
Holy Crap,The Cubs just Hit A Home Run,it's 4-3!!!

graperat · #7 10-11-2003, 03:14 AM

The date on the 396 engine is j-24-9,the 454 that has the vin stamped by the filter is b 10 70
thanks dennis

Keith Tedford · #8 10-11-2003, 10:23 AM

In those days the VIN was struck with a hand stamp and a big hammer. The stamp could be turned 180 degrees very easily by someone careless or distracted. Just a few years ago we were still using VIN machines, for the frame, with a roller ball setup. It was hand indexed. When frame sealer got into the unit it would sometimes misindex. They would hand stamp over the number with an "X" stamp, hand stamp the proper number and record the change. Upside down numbers on the block wouldn't warrant a change. I don't recall what they did with a block that was stamped with wrong numbers.

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